James E. Beebe

James Edward Beebe was born on October 4, 1934 in Crawfordsville, Indiana and passed into the loving arms of Jesus on September 21, 2015 at the age of 80 in his home in Edmond, OK. He was the son of Chester and Dorothy Beebe. He was the youngest of three sons and was an accomplished athlete in his younger years. He was a graduate of Wabash College an All Men's Liberal Arts College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He moved to Broken Arrow, OK in 1968. In the seventies he was named Citizen of the Year in Broken Arrow and was instrumental in the building of Gatesway Foundation a home for Special Needs Adults and also the building of a much needed hospital in Broken Arrow. He was a prior member of The Young Presidents Association. Throughout his long career he was a successful and influential businessman involved in numerous corporations, including Braden Industries, Telex and Xeta as well as businesses in Germany and Great Britain. James is preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers John and George. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Jackie Beebe of their home in Edmond. He is survived by three sons, Brad Beebe and wife Dee of Auburn, AL, Bret Beebe and wife Anna of Auburn, AL, Bill Beebe and wife Rae of Birmingham, AL, daughter Tonya Fondren and husband Thomas of Edmond, OK. Grandchildren Taylor Beebe of Boone, NC, Sydney Beebe Phillips and husband Matt of Gainsville, GA, Max Beebe of Auburn, AL, Slater and Tatum Fondren of Edmond, OK and Braden Beebe of Birmingham, AL. James was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was raised in The First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and lived his life in accordance with the Bible's teachings. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Wings: A Special Needs Community, P. O. Box 2095, Edmond, OK 73083-2095, www.wingsok.org. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 4th, at Smith & Kernke Funeral home, 14624 North May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73134. There will be no viewing.